But using earlier values is a way to save scarce state government resources. The state Treasury Department, though, would not tell the paper how much it saves.

Rebate checks from the state government used to arrive annually for many homeowners in a state with the nation’s highest average property tax bills. In 2007 and 2008, the relief checks averaged over $1,000.

Back then, the average homeowner paid about $6,500 annually in property taxes. Now, the bill average is $7,900.

While the tax bills, used to support schools and local governments have risen yearly — though far less since Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, took office three years ago — the relief programs are in constant flux.

In 2009, the government reduced the number of homeowners who were eligible by capping the rebates to senior citizens and disabled people making under $150,000 and non-senior, non-disabled households with incomes under $75,000. Those limits have remained in place since.

In 2010, Christie suspended the rebates entirely.

In 2011, they returned but as tax-bill credits instead of rebate checks. They averaged $240 and last year $274 for those who still get them.

Both Christie and Democratic lawmakers have proposed ways to increase property tax relief, but they’ve been at loggerheads over how to do it.